Articulator



Aug. 2,1927. 7334 w. M. GAMBILL ARTICULATOR Filed July 24, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m Ulllllllllllll 7f ZL I a a A A 12 mmm I v ummm Illllllllllllllllllf 2 A TTORNEY- Aug. 2, 1927. 1,637,934

. w. M. GAMBILL ARTICULATOR Filed July 24, 1926 :s Sheets-SheetZ 11 1 y V 1 W IN VEN TOR.

W ATTORNEY' l I Au 2 1 7-.

g 92 w. M. GAMBILLVI ARTICULATOR Filed July 24, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet IIII'IIII/Illl/ i l INVENTOR. 7117130203222,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

PATENT orncs,

WILLIAM emrmfsra mae waxe eer mew e ema e e 1 Jul a 226-. S new This invention relates to a dental articulator, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an articulator of the class referred to, with adjustable means for efficiently grinding in the teeth to'obtain a thoroughly satisfactory occlusion for producing and perfecting the individual three point contact, the rotation point, the

inward slant, the downward slant, and the incisal slant on the occlu' sal surface of the teeth. 7 w I A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter'set forth an articulat on having means to provide,

'" combined oscillatory and vertical movements during the grinding action and further with means for positioning a retruded and a protruded bite-therein. A further object of the invention is to provide, in "a manneras hereinafter set forth, an articulator having meansfor adjusting the retruded and protruded bites.

A further object of 'the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental articulator for prodncing're truded andprotruded movements and en;- ther with means for adjusting the retruded and protruded bites. i

Further objects of the invention are to provide," in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dental a-rticulator, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong,

durable,adjustable, thoroughly efficient and convenient in use, readily coupled with a driving. means therefor, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Vvith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of part's as hereinafter more specifically de-, scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resortedto which fall within the scope ofthe claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

if Figure 1 is aside elevation of a dental articulator in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is asecti'on o'n line 3-'3 Figure 2,.

figure 8 is a fragm'enatry view in vertical elevationf Figure-'9 "a fragmentary view in vertical section of a modification.

Figure 1 0 is'a' fragmentary view, in sectiona'l plan of the form'shewe in Figure 9.

Referring to the tastings-in detail, l gen- 'er'ally denotes a stationary "base emur formed of an intermediate portion" 25f skeleton form and whichis bf circular coritour, an "outer end portion 3 'and an inner endportion 4. The b aSeflil niber 1 is formed of a"c1rcular enlargement 2 having a depending pin'9 extendedtherefroin and onfit's lower face, at its rear end "adependin bircular, enlargement 10 arranged inaligiiment with respect to the enlargement 8. The'rib 6 extends from the enlargement 8 to the en largement 10. The enlargement 8 is spaced of the flange 5, see Figure'3. v The diameter of theintermediate portion 2 is greater than the width of eitherfof the end portions of the base" member '1. The end portion 3 'is of 'rectangulardorm and comprises inner part names outer part 12, see Figures "1,32, 3, send 9. fThe outer part 12 isof materially greater height than the inner part 11, see Figure :L The outer part 12 has its ripper'facefo'rmed with a lengthwise eXtending'V-sha-ped groove 13 and ate'ach side of its top has ''a.chside for-med with a laterally "extending lengthwise disposed flange 1 1: The flanges 14' are r. oppositely disposed with" respect to" each rearwardly with respect to theforward eiid "ent'ly referred to.

other and the function thereofwill be page.

* Theenlargement '8 depends centrally with part 16 and an outer part 17,'see Figure 2.

The part 17 is of materially greater length, but of less width than and extends at right angles with respect to the part 16, butthe latter merges into the part 17 centrally thereof wherebya pair of oppositely disposed extensions 18 and 19 are provided and which are arranged at right angles with respect to the part 16. The lower face, at the outer end of each of said extensions has an enlargement of circular form, as indicated at 20,Vsee Figure 3 and each of said enlargements has extending therethrough the lower peripherally threaded portion 21 of a post, to be hereinafter referred to, and uponwhich is mounted a resilient supporting cap 22 formed of rubber. The caps 15 and 22 providesupporting means for the base member 1.

The rear part 11 of theend portion 3 merges into the intermediate portion 2 centrally thereof and the part 16 of the end portion 4 merges into the intermediate portion 2 centrally thereof. The caps 15-and 22 not only provide supporting means for the base member 1', but prevent the marring of the support upon which i the articulator is mounted, and further acts as a cushioning means for the articulator The extension 18,

as well as the extension ,19, at its enlarged iouterend" is formed with a vertically disposed opening 23 having a threaded wall, see Figure 1, and engaging with said threaded wallis the lower peripherally threaded portion 21 of a post. Carried by veach post and interposedbetween a cap Y22 and an enlargement 1s a lock nut 60.

' Arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base member 1 is the upper articulator member referred to generally by the reference character 24. The member 24 is of rectangular contour and formed of an upper section 25 and a lower section 26. The said sections are of skeleton form or formed with lengthwise extending spaced oval shaped openings 27 which align with each other, The sections 25 and 26 are connected together by the hold fast devices 28, 29 and 30, disposed throughout the length of said sections. wThe inner faces of thesections 25 and 26, at one side thereof are formed with oppositely disposed aligned semi-circular grooves 31, see Figure 5. The inner faces of said sections are furthermore provided with oppositely disposed aligning semi-circular grooves, each formed of parts 31, 32, 33,34 and 35. The parts'34 are of greater width than parts 33 and 35 and form shoulders 36. The parts 31 are of materially greater width than the otherpartsl spectively at 37, 38 on section 25 andat 39, 40

of said grooves. A vertical opening is formed in the forward end of the section 25 and the section 26 and eachopening has a small part and a large part, indicated reon section26. The parts 38 and 40 register with each other. The parts 31 of the grooves open into the parts 38 and 40 of the open ings. The section 26 is formed with an integral dependin sleeve 41 which provides a continuation of the in section26.

part 39 of the opening Mounted in the registering grooves is a 7 driving shaft for an oscillatory mechanism for the upper articulator, and which includes a rigid section 42 comprising an intermedi ate portion44 and end portions 45, 46. The shaft further includes a flexible section43 extended from the end portion 45 for connection with a prime mover,not,shown.- The intermediate portion 44 of the shaft is mounted in an oil well provided by the parts 34 of the grooves. The endportion 46 of the shaft carries a worm pinion 47 positioned within the parts 31 of the grooves.

The oscillatory mechanism for the upper articulator member comprises a vertically disposed shaft 48 which extends up through the sleeve 41 and projects above the forward end portions of the sections 25 and 26 of the articulator member 24. A jamb nut 49 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 48 and bears againstthe upper face of the worm wheel 50. The shaft 48 carries a worm wheel 50 which is driven from the 51 for the articulator or element 24. The I shifting element 51 operates in a controlling member therefor, which in Figure 5 isindi cated at 52 and consists of a V-shaped trough seating in the groove 13 throughout and formed with extensions 53 which overlap the flanges 14. The member 52 is open at each end.

In Figures 9 and10;thecontrolling memher or element for. the shifting element 51 is constructed in the same manner as the member 52, with this exception, that spaced vertical abutments 54,- 55 are carried by the con trolling member, which in Figures 9 and 10 is indicated at 56. In Figures 9 and 10 the shifting element is illustrated in the form of a disk 57 whichis eccentrically mounted upon the shaft 48 and which is clearly shown in Figure 9. .As the shaft 48 revolves, due to the operation of the driving means therefor. the shifting element 51 or'the shifting element 57 engaging with'the walls ofthe member 52 or 56 "will provide for an oscillatory movement for theupper articulator 24,'

as well asproviding for a. verticalmovement of such member 24 during the oscillations thereof. a p

Secured in each opening 23 is a vertically I disposed post and one of whieh is indicated ill at 58 and the other at 59. Lock nuts 60 are carried at the lower end of each of the posts. Each of the posts at its upper end is formed with an outwardly extending right align:

larly disposed arm 61 terminating in a vertically disposed disk 62 provided, with an axial opening 63,-seeFigure 6.

Positioned against the inner face of each disk is an angularly adjustable tubular casing. One of the casings is indicated at 65 and the other at 66. Each casing has that side opposing the inner face of a disk formed with a. squared offset 67.0f the same length as the diameter of the disk and which hasits ends flush with the edge of the disk.

, Projecting outwardly from each offset por tion .67, as well as being formed integral therewith centrally thereof is a peripherally threaded tubular "bar 68. which extends through an opening 63, see Figure 6, and carries a clamping nut .69 which abuts against the outer face of a disk 62 for clamping a tubular casing against the inner face of the latterxin adjusted'position. Each disk 62 has its edge provided withspaced notches 70, see. Figure 8, which associate with the side edges of an offset 67 to provide for adjusting the casings v65, 66 to align with each other. V

The .inner side of the casing 65 or .66 is formed with a lengthwise extending slot 72. Each casing is closed at its outer end and open atits inner end and threadedly engaging within the inner end of each casing as well as projecting therefrom is ayflanged in teriorly threaded bushing 73 having an adjusting screw 7 4extendingtherethrough and engaging therewith. See Fig. 6. A look nut 75"is carried by the screw 74:. Within each casing 18 arranged a coiledtensionmg spring 76. The screws 74 are employed for.

increasing and decreasing the tension of the springs 76 and also for retruded and protruded bite relations. The ,upper articula tor member 24 is oscillated against the action of the springs 76. l r i Fixedly securedto the rear end of the-section 26 of the articulator member 24; is a T-shaped coupling 7 7,,see Figure 3. Adjust ably connected to'the coupling 76 is a pairof oppositely extending threaded arms :78, 79,- to which pivot members-80, 81 respectively areadjustably secured and each of said pivbt members has a globular outer end 82, see Figured The pivot members 80, 81 are oppositely disposed with respect to each other and they extend through the slots 72 intothe V casings 65, 66. The globular heads82 bear against the forward ends of the springs 76.

The adjusting screws 74:.bear against the globular ends or heads 82 of the pivot mem bers. 80, 81. 'The pivot members 80, 81 in connection with the members 67,, 68, per-' mits of the articulator member 74to swing articulator on the on a pivot at right angles to the shaft 48. The casings andsprings and the connections between the casings and the articulator member 24 provides means top roduce retruded and protruded movements. The adjustability of the casings and their connections with the articulator member 24 provide for slots'formeo in the casings will permit'of the pivot members and 81 alternately swingusting retruded and protruded bites. The

ing forward with respect to the springs in said casings and swinging rearwardly, alter 'nately, against the action of such springs.

The section 26 of the articulator member 24: has its rear provided witha pair of depending arm'sor fingers 83 to shift the upper pivot members 80, 81 when occasion requires. j

The shaft 48 can be driven at any desired speed, but preferably the ratio of the element '50 with respect'to the element 47-is thirty shifting element5l or 57 in both instances they may be termeda cam element, provide for the rise. and fall of the articulatordur-1 ing the oscillatory movement thereof, and therefore it is thought that themany advalne tages of an articulator, in accordance with this invention can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodimentof theinvention is as illustrated-and described, yetit is tobe understood that changes inthe. details of construction can be had which/will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. 7 F I l Vhati I- claim is a p 1. A dental articulator comprising a be e,' a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged in superposed relationwith respect to'the base, apairioff spacedatension-i inginechamsms supported by the base and each including a housed coiled spring, itii;ra11sverse pivot means for and. carried by said member,"s aid pivot meansslidably mounted in'said mechanismsand bearingagainst said.

sprii'igs 'driven means carried by said mem-w ber andioperatively engaging withxthe base,

for impartingsimultaneously an oscillatory;

and a vertical movement to said member, and means mounted in saidinember for op,-

erating saidjdriven means.

2. A dentalartici'ilatcr comprising a base, a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged iii-superposed relation with re.- spectto the base, a pair of spaced tensioningmechanisms supported'by the base and each including a housed coiled spring, trans verse pivot means for and carried by said member, said pivot means slidably mounted n said mechanisms and bearing against said springs, driven means carriedby said mem her and operatively engaging with the base for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and vertical movement to saidnicmber, means mounted in said member for operatingsaid driven means, and each o'l said mechanisms includingan adjusting screw bearing against said pivotineans for increasing or decreasing the tension olisaid springs.

3. A dental articulator comprising a base provided at its 'forward end with a V- shaped trough, a spring controlled upper ar ticulator member arranged in superposed relation with respectto the base, a pair of spaced tensioning mechanisms supported above the base at the rear thereof, each of said mechanisms including a housed coiled spring, transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said pivot means slidQ ably mounted in said meclnnisnis and bearing against said springs, driven means car-. ried by said member and including an L- shaped element engaging said trough -for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and vertical movement to said member, and means mounted in said member for operating said driven means.

4'. Adental articulator comprising a base provided at its forward end with a V-shaped trough, a spring controlled upper articulator member arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base, apair t spaced tcnsioning mechanisms supported above thebase at the rear thereof each of Stlitll'llGCllflnisms including a housed coiled spring,

transversepivot means tor and carried by said member, said pivot means slidably mounted in said mechanisms and bearing againstsaid springs, driven means carried by said member and including an L-shaped element engaging said trough for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and .ver-

tical movement to said member, means mountedin said member for operating said driven means, and each of said mechanisms;

including an adjusting element bearing against the pivot means for increasing or decreasing the tension of said springs.

5. A dental articulator con'iprismg a base,

a spring-controlled upper articulato'rmember arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of independently adjustable spaced tensioning mechanismssupported by the base at the rear thereof and each including a housed coiled spring,

a V-shaped trough carried by the base at the forward end thereof, transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said means slidably mounted in said mechanisms and bearing against said springs, driven means carried by said member and operatmeans slidably mounted in said n'iechanisn'is,

adjusting means for said mechanisms to increase anddecrease the tension thereof, and

means carried by said member and operatively engaging with the base for imparting simultaneously an, oscillatory and a vertical movement to said member. i

7. A dental articulator comprisinga base,

.a spring-controlled upper articulator mem ber arranged in superposed relation VVllLll respect to the base, a pair of bodily adjustable spaced tensioning mechanisms supported above the base at the rear thereof and each includinga housed coiled spring, aaV-shaped trough carried by the base at the forward endthereof, transverse pivotmeans for and carried by said member, said means slidablymountcd in said mechanism and bearing against said springs, driven means carriedby said memberand operating in said trough for impartin simultaneously an oscillatory and a vertical movement to said member, means mounted in said member for operating said driven means,

said mechanisms having the inner sides thereof slotted for the passage ofsaid pivot means, p e

i 8. A dental articulator comprising a base, a spr ng-controlled upper articulate member arranged in'superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of independently bodily achustable spaced ytensionmg mechanisms supportedabove the base,-transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said pivot means slidablv mounted in said mechanism. each'of said mechani'sn'is including an adjustable element hearing against the transverse pivot means to increase and decrease the tension of said mechanisms, and means carried by SHfCl member and operatively engaging with the base for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and a vertical movement to said member. a

' 9. A dental articulator comprising a base, a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged insuperposedrelation with re:

spect to the base, a pair of bodily adjustable spaced tensioning mechanisms supported by and above the base,l-eaclrofsaid mechanisms including a housed coiled spring, transverse.

pivot means for and carried by said member; said means extending into said mecha-v nisms and bearing against said springs, each of said mechanisms having the inner sides slotted for the passage of said means, a trough carried by said base. and driven means carried by said member and including an L-shap-ed element for operating in said trough for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and vertical movement to said member.

10. A dental articulator comprising a base, a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of spaced. bodily adjustable, tensioning mechanisms supported by and above the base, each of said mechanisms including a housed coiled spring, transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said means extending into said mechanisms said m chanisms having the inner sides slotted for the passage of said means, a trough carried by said base. driven means carried by said member and including an L-shaped element for operating in said trough for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and vertical movement to said member, and means bearing again t said pivot means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

11. A dental articulator comprising a base, a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of independently bodily adjustable spaced tensioningmechanisms supported above the base, transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said pivot means 'slidably mounted in said mechanism, each of s id mechanisms including an adjustable element bearing against the transverse pivot means to increase and decrease the tension of said mechanisms. and means carried by said memher and operative-ly'engaging with the base for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and a vertical movement to said member. a support for each of said mechanisms, each of said mechanisms including a threaded member ext-ending through its respective support, and means carried by said members and coactine' With said supports for clamping said mechanisms in adjusted position. I

12. A dental articulator comprising a base. a spring-controlled upper articulator member arranged in superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of independently bodily adjustable spaced tensioning mechanisms supported above the base, trans verse pivot means for and carried by said member, said pivotmeans slidably mounted in said mechanism, each of said mechanisms including an adjustable element bearing against the transverse pivot means to increase and decrease the tension of said meehanif ms, and means carried by said member and operatively engaging with the base for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and a. vertical movement to said member, a

support for each otsaid mechanisms, and said supports and mechanisms having coacting means to provide a setting gauge for each of said mechanisms.

13. A dental articulator comprising a base, a spring-controlled upper articulator member arringed in superposed relation with respect to the base, a pair of bodily adjustable spaced tensioning mechanisms supported by and above. the base, each of said mechanisms including a housed coiled spring. transverse pivot means for and carried by said member, said means extending into said mechanism and bearing against said springs, each of said mechanisms having the inner sides slot-ted for the passage of said means, a trough carried by said base, and driven means carried by said memher and including an L-shaped element for operating in said trough for imparting simultaneously an oscillatory and Vertical movement to said member, a support for each of said mechanisms, and said supports and mechanisms having coactine means to provide an ind-e-pendent setting gauge for each mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

' WILLIAM GAMBILL. 

